ENV-320 / 5 credits

Teacher(s): Huwald Wolf Hendrik, Lehning Michael, Nenes Athanasios, Schmale Julia

Language: English


Summary

The course provides an introduction to the physical and chemical processes that govern the atmospheric dynamics at small and large scales. The basis is laid for an in depth understanding of our atmospheric environment and the climate system.

Content

Keywords

Atmospheric Physics, Atmospheric Chemistry, Radiative Transfer, Weather, Climate, Aerosols, Clouds, Ozone, Air Pollution, Boundary Layer, Energy Balance, Nucleation, Sensors, Measurements

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Recommended courses

ENV-200, ENV-221, ENG-272

Important concepts to start the course

  • Differential, integral, and vector calculus
  • Linear algebra
  • Basic physics (Momentum Conservation, Dynamics)
  • Basic chemistry (reaction rates, chemical thermodynamics)
  • Basic GNU Octave/MATLAB programming

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Compute simple atmospheric quantities
  • Explain atmospheric phenomena
  • Interpret atmospheric observations
  • Describe fate and transport of atmospheric constituents
  • Identify similarities with other environmental fields
  • Categorize important atmospheric processes at different scales
  • Perform simple measurements of atmospheric variables

Transversal skills

  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
  • Write a scientific or technical report.
  • Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
  • Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.

Teaching methods

Lectures, Exercises, Laboratory (Practical work)

Expected student activities

Regularly attending lectures and exercises

Participation in a mandatory laboratory course (block session)

Complete exercises and practical work (computer projects and lab report)

Studying provided and indicated course material

Assessment methods

Written exam (50%)

Exercise assignments (35%)

Laboratory and report (15%)

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Bibliography

John M. Wallace and Peter V. Hobbs: Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey

Ken S. Carslaw (ed.): Aerosols and Climate, link

John H. Seinfeld and Spyros N. Pandis: Atmospheric chemistry and physics: from air pollution to climate change link

Ressources en bibliothèque

Références suggérées par la bibliothèque

Notes/Handbook

See Moodle

Moodle Link

Prerequisite for

Air Pollution (ENV-409)

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
  • Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
  • Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks

Reference week

 MoTuWeThFr
8-9     
9-10     
10-11     
11-12    GRB330
12-13    
13-14     
14-15    GRC0528
15-16   GCA330
16-17   GCA330
17-18   
18-19     
19-20     
20-21     
21-22     

Thursday, 15h - 16h: Lecture GCA330

Thursday, 16h - 18h: Exercise, TP GCA330

Friday, 11h - 13h: Lecture GRB330

Friday, 14h - 18h: Project, other GRC0528

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